Anthill Farms Campbell Ranch Pinot Noir 2014

California

£39.95per bottle

199 in stock

Case of 3 - £119.85

Case of 6 - £239.70

Case of 12 - £479.40

We thought the 2013 was something special, however the 2014 could well go down as one of the greatest ‘young’ Pinot Noirs to ever pass our lips. The ’14 is blessed with an incredibly intense, powerful nose - the perfume is extraordinary, almost exotic. Although young, the palate is showing beautiful structure, filigree tannins and is utterly sensuous. This is an irresistible Campbell Ranch, a little fatter and more generous than the previous two vintages. Effortless, mercurial, brilliant and will be better in 2-3 years...

Profile

Taste & Aroma

Score:93

The 2014 Pinot Noir Campbell Ranch Vineyard is one of the more overt, fruit-driven wines in the line-up. The small berries here give the wine an intense, almost flamboyant sense of ripeness that stands out. Expressive floral notes round out the close. There is a directness and sense of immediacy to the Campbell Ranch that is compelling.

Antonio Galloni

Producer

Anthill Farms winery was set up by 3 Pinot lovers, Webster "Web" Marquez, Anthony Filiberti and Dave Low in 2004 after meeting at Williams-Selyem in 2003 all having worked for a number of years as cellar rats in California, Oregon and Virginia.

In their first year they made just eight-and-a-half barrels of wine – Today they produce six single-vineyard Pinots as well as two or three Syrahs. They started small and have remained so; buying fruit from all over Sonoma and Mendocino Counties with their aim to create Pinot Noirs that “express the growing site and the characteristics of the vintage, and above all else, taste good.”

With todays annual production of around 1,400 cases per year (which as you can imagine are quickly snapped up) if you can get your hands on a case of this, you have really found something quite special and extraordinary.

Region

California is the largest and most important wine region in the US – in fact, if California were a separate country it would be the world’s fourth largest wine producer! California stretches along the west coast of the USA meaning that soils and climates vary enormously depending on the area’s altitude, latitude and proximity to the Pacific Ocean. Generally the cooler regions closer to the coast are most suited to the growing of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, whilst further inland (where the climate is much hotter) some of California’s most famous Cabernet Sauvignon wines are grown. The famous Ridge Estate is located here and produces some of the best and most sought after wines in California. If you enjoy Chardonnay, we highly recommend you take a look at Liquid Farm Winery, whose Chardonnay’s (we believe!) rival those of Burgundy.

Glassware

Riedel Veritas New World Pinot Noir (2 Glasses)

Enjoy your favourite wine the way it was meant to taste with these wonderful lead crystal creations from Riedel, which are shaped according to the character of the wine in order to enhance its rich, aromatic flavours.